Supercapacitor Battery Boost Circuit for Cold Engine Starting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle batteries struggle to start engines in cold weather due to reduced electrical power output and increased viscosity of engine oil, requiring more torque from the starter motor, which can impede engine cranking.
Innovation Solution
A battery boost circuit that stores energy in a supercapacitor and combines it with the battery's energy to deliver a peak output to the starter motor, enhancing torque and rotational speed by placing the supercapacitor in series with the battery, with a DC-to-DC converter controlling the voltage to avoid exceeding the device's rating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a standard battery is used to start the engine, then the system is simple and reliable, but the battery cannot provide sufficient power output in cold weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a supercapacitor module with a battery to form a hybrid power system. The supercapacitor is connected in series with the battery through a DC-to-DC converter, allowing the two energy storage devices to work together. The supercapacitor provides high peak power during engine cranking while the battery provides sustained power, resolving the contradiction between power output and starting reliability in cold weather.
Solution Approach 2:
The DC-to-DC converter dynamically adjusts the voltage and current parameters between the supercapacitor and battery based on the starting conditions. By controlling the conversion ratio and timing, the system optimizes the power delivery characteristics to provide sufficient peak power for cold weather starting while maintaining system reliability.
2Power
If the supercapacitor voltage is increased to provide more power, then the power output to the starter motor is improved, but the voltage may exceed the device's rating and cause damage
Solution Approach 1:
The DC-to-DC converter incorporates feedback control mechanisms that continuously monitor the supercapacitor voltage and adjust the conversion ratio accordingly. When the supercapacitor voltage approaches the maximum rating, the converter automatically reduces the voltage transfer to prevent exceeding the device rating, while still maximizing the power delivery to the starter motor within safe operating limits.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the voltage and current characteristics during the cranking process. The DC-to-DC converter modifies its operation in real-time based on the instantaneous power requirements and voltage levels, allowing the system to deliver high power when needed while maintaining voltage within safe ratings throughout the operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively boosts the electrical power to the starter motor, improving engine starting efficiency even in cold conditions by providing a higher voltage and current, thus overcoming the limitations of standard batteries.
Implementation Method 1
A battery boost circuit that stores energy in a supercapacitor and combines it with the battery's energy to deliver a peak output to the starter motor
Implementation Method 2
with a DC-to-DC converter controlling the voltage to avoid exceeding the device's rating
Data Source
AI summary
Electrical apparatuses, systems and methods involving battery boost circuitry configured to charge a supercapacitor to a regulated voltage different from the battery voltage and apply a series combination of the regulated voltage and the battery voltage to a load such as a starter motor for an internal combustion engine or a component of a handheld device. The circuitry also includes a contactor connected to the supercapacitor and operable to bypass the capacitor when fully discharged to avoid reverse charging of the supercapacitor.